Featured Alumni

the Oregon Duck and a recent graduate of the College of Education
students on graduation day

Passing the Torch: Melaney Grenz

For Melaney the mentorship that she received from teachers and professors gave her the confidence to pursue her dream and become a speech pathologist.

“Oregon Changed My Life”: Alison Cerezo

Alison Cerezo, PhD ’09 Counseling Psychology, is rooted in their community. So, when it came time to choose their discipline, counseling psychology was a natural choice because of its approach to mental health.

Family is Everything: Rene Cabrera

For Rene Cabrera, MS ’22 School Psychology, family is everything. He sees his accomplishments as a reflection on the hard work of his parents, who were immigrants from Mexico.

Creating a Supportive Space for Future Teachers: Marty Wilder and Seth Lake

Marty Wilder, MEd ’11 Curriculum and Teaching, was teaching high school when a student called upon LGBTQIA+ teachers to “come out of the closet” and be positive role models to their students. Marty, a trans man, saw this as a wakeup call, causing him to reevaluate his approach to his identity in the classroom.

Breaking the Cycle: Randi Ross

Randi Ross, BS ‘21 Family and Human Services, is passionate about child abuse prevention. Her personal experience as a survivor led to her pursuing a degree at the UO to serve the community as a social worker, but she discovered a love of research and prevention.

Leading the way in DEI: Jonathon Henderson

Triple duck Jonathon Henderson, BS ‘07 Political Science, MS ‘09 Conflict & Dispute Resolution, PhD ‘15 Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education, is used to leading the way.

Breaking Barriers: Women in Government

Edith Green, BA ’39 (English, education) was the second woman from Oregon to be elected to the US House of Representatives. Edith championed several issues related to education and gender equality legislation.

Ducks in Love: Charles Mattox and Elouise Foiles Mattox

We met in March 1964, in June of 1965, we decided we enjoyed each other's company so much that we married. One degree for me and three degrees for Elouise, careers in teaching/counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation, and two children have brought us to current day retirement in Bend, Oregon, a 58-year Duck Love Story.

Ducks in Love: Cloud and Kathryn Schnoebelen

Cloud and Katheryn started dating in 1996 and have been together ever since. After flying up for a game in 2000, Cloud asked Kate to marry him on the Autzen bridge and the rest is history. The couple has 3 UO duck children!

Ducks in Love: Frances and Thomas G. McGuire

After reconnecting over a cup of coffee 50+ years after first meeting, the couple continued to meet and sparks flew. Two years later they were married and now live along the North Santiam River in Mill City, Oregon.